We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 22 December 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Background

Tottington Dental Surgery provides NHS and private treatment for both adults and children. The practice is based in a converted cottage property. There are three dental treatment rooms, a decontamination room, reception area and two waiting rooms. Treatment is provided on the ground and first floor. The practice is not wheelchair accessible; Tottington Dental Surgery has a sister practice in nearby Ramsbottom which is fully accessible. On street parking is available.

The practice employs three dentists, one dental hygiene therapist and five dental nurses. The clinical team are supported by a practice manager and reception staff, all of whom are registered with the GDC.

The practice’s opening hours are 9:00am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

The principal dentist is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

Our key findings were:

• The practice was well organised, visibly clean and free from clutter.
• An Infection prevention and control policy was in place. We saw the sterilisation procedures followed recommended guidance.
• The practice had systems for recording incidents and accidents.
• Practice meetings were used for shared learning.
• The practice had a safeguarding policy and staff were aware on how to escalate safeguarding issues for children and adults should the need arise.
• Staff received annual medical emergency training. Equipment for dealing with medical emergencies reflected guidance from the resuscitation council.
• Dental professionals provided treatment in accordance with current professional guidelines.
• Patient feedback was regularly sought and reflected upon.
• Patients could access urgent care when required.
• Dental professionals were maintaining their continued professional development (CPD) in accordance with their professional registration.
• Complaints were dealt with in an efficient and positive manner.

There were areas where the provider could make improvements and should:

• Review the practice’s safeguarding staff training; ensuring it covers both children and adults and all staff are trained to an appropriate level for their role and aware of their responsibilities.
• Review availability of medicine and equipment to manage medical emergencies giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Resuscitation Council (UK), and the General Dental Council (GDC) standards for the dental team.
• Review the practice’s sharps procedures giving due regard to the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013
• Review the practice’s manual cleaning procedures and protocols giving due regard to guidelines issued by the Department of Health - Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices and The Health and Social Care Act 2008: ‘Code of Practice about the prevention and control of infections and related guidance.
• Review the protocols and procedures to ensure staff are up to date with their mandatory training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Review the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and ensure a Disability Discrimination Act audit is undertaken for the premises.
• Review its audit protocols to document learning points that are shared with all relevant staff and ensure that the resulting improvements can be demonstrated as part of the audit process.